Avoid abbreviations unless the spelled out version will be awkward on a first reference. Bachelor’s degree, a master’s, etc., are possessive and require an apostrophe. Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, an associate degree, etc. are not possessive. Capitalize the formal degree name (Master of Science in Project Management); lowercase the informal name of the degree (he has a bachelor’s in biology). Certificates should also follow this rule.
Note: Only capitalize a degree if it is actually offered by The Citadel.
When abbreviations are appropriate, please use the following degree abbreviations:
- B.A. – Bachelor of Arts
- B.S. – Bachelor of Science
- M.A. – Master of Arts
- M.A.T. – Master of Arts in Teaching
- MBA – Master of Business Administration (note: there are no periods)
- M.Ed. – Master of Education
- M.S. – Master of Science
In text, only capitalize academic disciplines that are themselves proper nouns: The cadets at the event were majoring in English, psychology, criminal justice, French and political science
Capitalize departments and programs only when using their formal name. “The Citadel” is implied before each department or program name.
- The Office of the Registrar is located in Bond Hall.
- Megan works in the Office of Communications and Marketing.
- The professor started teaching in the department as an adjunct in the 1970s.
The Citadel is a college, not a university or school. When referring to the institution as a college, the word should be lowercased. Even when referring specifically to The Citadel, do not capitalize. Treat the word “college” like any other noun that is not a proper name.
There are five schools in the college—the Tommy and Victoria Baker School of Business, the Zucker Family School of Education, the School of Engineering, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Swain Family School of Science and Mathematics.
